The Sacramento Kings edged the Milwaukee Bucks 135-133 on Saturday night at Fiserv Forum, overcoming an early deficit and holding off a late rally to secure their second win of the season.
Zach LaVine poured in 31 points, while DeMar DeRozan added 29 as Sacramento improved to 2-4. Domantas Sabonis recorded 24 points and 13 rebounds, and Dennis Schroder contributed 24 points and seven assists in a balanced offensive effort.
Milwaukee, which entered the matchup at 4-1, rallied from six down entering the fourth quarter but fell just short in the final seconds. Miles Turner’s 3-pointer with 51 seconds left cut the deficit to one, but Giannis Antetokounmpo’s turnover on the following possession proved costly.
Schroder sealed the victory with two free throws with 14.8 seconds remaining, giving the Kings a 135-132 advantage. The Bucks had a final chance, but A.J. Green’s missed 3-pointer and split free throws in the closing moments allowed Sacramento to escape with the win.
Antetokounmpo, returning after sitting out Thursday’s game against Golden State with left knee soreness, led Milwaukee with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 32 minutes. Kyle Kuzma had 22, Gary Trent Jr. scored 17, while Turner and Green each added 16.
The Bucks started hot, hitting seven of their first eight shots — including four 3-pointers — to jump out to a 21-6 lead. Sacramento responded behind Schroder and LaVine, who combined for three straight triples late in the first half to erase a 15-point deficit and tie the game at 70.
After halftime, the Kings’ offense continued to click. Sacramento outscored Milwaukee 38-31 in the third quarter, with Sabonis dominating the paint and LaVine finding rhythm from deep. The Kings led 108-102 entering the fourth, setting up a tense final stretch.
Russell Westbrook provided a key spark off the bench, scoring on a late putback to extend the Kings’ lead to 126-118 before Antetokounmpo carried the Bucks’ offense with 11 straight points to bring Milwaukee within striking distance.
Despite the late pressure, Sacramento’s composure at the free-throw line proved decisive. The Kings shot 87.5 percent from the stripe, compared to Milwaukee’s 64.5 percent.
The victory marked a strong response for a Kings team that had lost four of its previous five games. They will look to build on the momentum Monday night when they visit the Denver Nuggets.
Milwaukee, meanwhile, fell to 4-2 and will travel to face the Indiana Pacers on Monday as Antetokounmpo and company aim to bounce back from the narrow defeat.
